SOLICITATION NOTICE
R -- USPSC South Asia Regional Equity Advisor and SARI/Q regional program coordinator
- Notice Date
- 8/20/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Agency for International Development, Overseas Missions, India USAID-New Delhi, Dept. of State, Washington, DC, 20521-9000
- ZIP Code
- 20521-9000
- Solicitation Number
- 386-02-017
- Response Due
- 10/1/2002
- Point of Contact
- Naveen Srivastava, Acquisition & Assistance Specialist, Phone 91-11-419-8547, Fax 91-11-419-8390, - Christine Lyons, Contracting & Agreement Officer, Phone 9-011-91-11-419-8796, Fax 9-011-91-11-419-8390/8612/8454,
- E-Mail Address
-
nsrivastava@usaid.gov, clyons@usaid.gov
- Description
- BACKGROUND SARI/ Equity supports? efforts in the region to address two key issues: 1) human rights concerns that arise from inequity, such as trafficking, violence against women, and child labor; and 2) the need to promote opportunities for disadvantaged groups to participate equitably in society. Through SARI/Equity, USAID seeks to raise the profile of equity and promote rule of law and respect for human rights as key development concerns in South Asia and as USAID priorities in the region. SARI/Equity is part of a three-pronged approach to help integrate the region, recognizing the U.S. foreign policy interest in promoting regional stability and security in South Asia The SARI/Equity framework addresses two key elements of the equity problem: 1) encourage the implementation of laws, measures and practices aimed at reducing human rights violations against vulnerable groups, and 2) promote the adoption of measures that provide greater opportunities for the equitable participation of women and children in social, political, educational, and economic life. Sub-elements of these two main elements are the following: Sub-IR 1: Increased Capacity to Implement Relevant Laws and Conventions; Sub-IR 2: Strengthened Advocacy for Passage and Implementation of Relevant Laws and Conventions; Sub-IR 3: Increased Public Awareness and Engagement in Combating Women?s and Children?s Inequity; and Sub-IR 4: Increased Development of Enabling Programs and Practices, such as micro-finance, basic education, and psycho-social counseling. . Currently, there is one USAID-funded program activity supporting the anti-trafficking objectives of the SARI/Q initiative. Specifically, in July 2000 USAID funded UNIFEM to manage and implement a five-year regional anti-trafficking program. Along with trafficking, USAID expects to provide additional bureau and country-specific support under SARI/Equity on issues that represent human rights concerns that arises form inequity such as violence against women and child labor, as well as areas that enhance social and economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups. In addition to the UNIFEM arrangement, the initiative will plan to engage support from an institutional contractor or cooperator to manage and support regional activities including regional reporting. It is expected that each mission will designate a senior level officer to serve as the SARI/Equity program liaison officer, who will be also be a key member of the SARI/Q management team. This senior advisor will serve as the team leader over these arrangements. 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Position The South Asia Regional Initiative/Equity (SARI/Equity) Program is a regional program funded by both USAID and State/SA. The Senior Equity Advisor and SARI/Equity Program Coordinator will work under the general supervision of the Director of the Office of Social Development in New Delhi, India . The U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) is expected to supervise one senior USPSC and one FSN support staff. The position has been classified as GS-14 with a salary range of $74,697 to $97,108 plus overseas allowances. The period of performance will be two years with possibility of annual extensions for a maximum of five years provided that there is a continuing need for the services, funds are available and satisfactory or better performance by the Contractor. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for consideration. The successful applicant must be able to to obtain a medical clearance through the Department of State and a USAID Secret security clearance. In carrying out specific assignments, the incumbent will consult and work closely with senior representatives from Governments of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, international donor organizations, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and senior U.S. Government (USG) officials (USAID, State and Dept. of Labor) in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The specific duties and responsibilities of the SARI/Q REGIONAL ADVISOR, in order of priority, will be: a) Serve as the Senior Equity Advisor for the South Asia Region: I. Advise USAID and other USG officials of trends, constraints and opportunities in developing an equity agenda for the South Asia region. II. Provide technical recommendations to USAID on policy development and programmatic interventions that promote the equity and social justice agenda relevant to trafficking of persons, child labor, violence against women and enhanced opportunities for women and children. III. Helps missions engage in a high order strategic planning and design process on equity issues that build regional cooperation and innovation. b) Serve as the SARI/Equity Regional Program Coordinator for the USAID Program: 1. Develop and maintain close relations with USAID missions, other USG agencies/departments e.g. Department of Labor, U.S. Embassies, host governments, and with national, international and non-governmental organizations that work with equity promotion issues. 2. Ensure that planned results are achieved in an efficient and timely manner, consistent with USAID regulations and policies. Identify and work with partners to seek resolution of issues affecting the achievement of results. 3. Supervise the monitoring of program implementation and develop data collection systems for ongoing and new activities. 4. Provide technical guidance and support to USAID Missions or partners in the development, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation of program activities. 5. Review and assist in preparing all requisite USAID including semi-annual and annual program performance reports, and scopes or statements of work and/or program descriptions. Incumbent will also prepare additional reports, including speeches, concept papers or talking points for the US Ambassadors or USAID Mission Directors on equity issues. c). Carry Out and Support Policy Dialogue with Senior Government and Donors officials in consultation with bilateral mission staff: 1. In concert with USAID Missions, work with host country counterparts to identify key policy constraints/issues that impede the success of USG, other donor and the government programs to protect the rights of and enhance opportunities for women and children in South Asia. 2. Ensure that the critical issues and recommended courses of action identified above are raised in discussions with senior host country representatives, donor coordination meetings, and in discussions with key advocacy networks emerging in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. 3. Enlist support from other donors, senior government officials, and non-government organizations for policy changes that will overcome program implementation issues or facilitate replication of positive program results to other provinces in the country. 4. Represent USAID at donor and other international fora on equity issues. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION This is a senior level position. The successful candidate is expected to have the following qualifications. Note that in order to be considered those marked ?required? must be met. 1. At least 10 years? experience designing and implementing development programs, of which at least five years are working in developing countries, in equity promotion related program design, management, and evaluation. (Required) 2. Proven familiarity with international equity and development issues specifically trafficking, child labor, micro-finance and gender issues. Experience and knowledge of the South Asian region desirable. 3. Demonstrated satisfactory program management and problem solving skills working on complex projects within a highly sensitive development environment. Ability to identify, promote and apply new cutting-edge concepts, often ideas considered experimental and change-management oriented, in the promotion of equity programs. 4. Analytical ability to interpret public policies and assist in the development of revised policies as required in human rights issues. Skills in conceptualizing programming policies, and plans and from these develop strategies for implementation. Must possess the skills and ability to identify reform progress and trends, to apply state of the art and experimental concepts to achieve expected results. 5. Strong team leadership / personnel management and interpersonal skills required especially related to policy dialogue with senior government officials and program coordination with other donors. Ability to work effectively in a team environment and proactively work to achieve consensus on policy, project and administrative matters. 6. Excellent verbal and superb written communication skills, tact and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relations at the highest level. 7. Understanding of USAID program management policies, procedures, regulations and reporting requirements preferred. 8. At least a Masters degree (a Ph.D. is preferred) in a relevant social sciences field focusing on equity issues (REQUIRED) 9. Be a U.S. citizen and be capable of obtaining a medical and USG secret security clearance. (REQUIRED) 10. Fluency in English is required. Familiarity with one or more of the South-Asian languages will be desirable. 11. Must be willing to live in New Delhi and travel extensively (up to 75% of the time) in the region including to areas where basic amenities are limited. SELECTION CRITERIA To be considered, the applicant shall meet those qualifications marked ?required?. Candidates will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 1. Experience (40 points): a) At least ten years? experience designing and implementing development programs, of which at least five years have been working in developing countries. Prior professional and field experience designing and implementing programs related to gender and women and children?s rights and development, and knowledge of the range of best practices from prior donor experiences from around the world will be considered a significant strength. b) Demonstrated satisfactory experience managing complex programs in complex development environments. c) Demonstrated ability to successfully cultivate and maintain a wide range of contacts with senior government, donor and NGO counterparts. d) Prior experience assisting governments identify and implement alternative approaches to complex development challenges. e) Demonstrated skills in administration and oversight of the performance of technical advisors and institutional contractors. 2. Education and Training (30 points): a) MS, MA or Ph.D. degree in a relevant social sciences field focusing on equity issues. b) Training and research experience in gender and women?s studies desirable. 3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills (30 points): a) University level English speaking, reading and writing proficiency (absolute requirement). Candidates will be expected to provide a recent sample of their writing. b) Demonstrated ability to work collegially, and effectively communicate with senior government and other officials and to successfully lead and work with a multi-cultural team. c) Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain a wide range of contacts with senior counterparts. Total points: 100 points Application should include the following documentation: (1) A curriculum vitae which demonstrates how the candidate's qualifications meet the work requirements; (2) A completed and signed SF-171 or OF-612; (3) A relevant writing sample of not more than 10 pages; (4) Names, contact numbers, and addresses of three professional references; (5) A written statement certifying the date and length of time for which the candidate is available for the position.
- Place of Performance
- Address: OFFICE OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, USAID/INDIA, U.S. EMBASSY, SHANTIPATH, CHANAKYAPURI, NEW DELHI
- Zip Code: 110021
- Country: INDIA
- Zip Code: 110021
- Record
- SN00145416-W 20020822/020821005508 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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